Paula Colegrove September 4, 1938 - January 2, 2023

Colegrove, Paula Kay (Powers) of Eagle River, Ontario, CA died on January 2, 2023, due to complications from Covid.  Paula was born at home in Anamosa, IA on September 4, 1938.

Paula led an active life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She deeply loved her family and was much loved in return.  She graduated from Roosevelt HS in Des Moines, IA. On June 29^th, 1956, Paula married Orrie L. Colegrove.  They had the first two of their four children in Des Moines, prior to moving to the Twin Cities, where their second two children were born.

Paula worked as an executive secretary for General Motors in St. Paul, MN for several years and then a similar position working for the President of Murphy Motor Freight, in Roseville, MN.  Paula and Orrie lived for several years in Roseville and New Brighton, MN, until 1975 when they decided to move to Walker, MN and purchase The Wedgewood Resort on Leech Lake.  They lived and worked there for 5 years prior to moving to Canada.  In 1980, Paula and Orrie purchased Eagle Lake Lodge in Eagle River, Ontario, CA on beautiful Eagle Lake – “God’s Country”, as Orrie would say.  Paula and Orrie ran a wonderful business together for 20 years until Orrie died unexpectedly.  Over the years of resort operation there were countless loyal customers who became very dear friends to Paula and Orrie.  After Orrie’s death Paula continued running the resort for a few years, then her son Scott and his wife Marie took over the operation.  Paula and Orrie had good friends just down the shore, Vern and Dot Schroeder.  The couples shared many of the same interests and had some great times together.  If you knew Orrie and Vern, they could find some fun trouble to get into together!  Vern lost his wife Dot, and Mom lost her good friend Dot, to cancer in the months following Orrie’s passing.  As time went on Vern and Paula became partners, sharing interests, activities, and friends.  They spent her remaining years together at Vern’s home on beautiful Eagle Lake. Our family was grateful the two had each other and found happiness again after losing their spouses, who they both loved immeasurably.

Paula was a strong woman and very smart.  She loved crossword puzzles, reading, and cooking.  She was an excellent cook and could make a mean blueberry pie and yummy homemade chicken noodles!  We are beyond privileged and honored to have been raised under her umbrella, and to be able to call her “Mom” is a privilege beyond words.

Preceded in death by her parents Robert and Mary Powers; her husband of 44 years Orrie L Colegrove; grandson Robert (Bobby) Colegrove; unborn grandchildren; in-laws Orris and Kathryn Colegrove.  Paula is survived by her children Randy (Stacy) Colegrove, Sherry (Jamie) Stern, Kathy (Joe) Jurasin, Scott (Marie) Colegrove; former daughter-in-law Dawn (Mark) Hetrick; sister Peggy (Keith) Loomis. Ten grandchildren all whom she adored: Kay Marie, Nicki, Cody, Eric (Kelsey), Brett (Jessica), Kelsie (Paul), JT (Emily) Jurasin, Tyler (fiancé-Kory), Alex; great grandchildren; Cecelia, Harvey, Oliver, and two more coming in 2023.  Paula’s extended family, the Schroeder family, who were so gracious to our mother; her partner Vern, Michelle (Vern’s daughter who she loved playing marbles with), Denise and Jim, Mitch and Michelle, and Cole.

Paula’s family would like to thank Dryden Hospital’s medical staff and the fantastic hospice nurses, for the incredible care, support, and love provided over her journey.

Paula was loved by so many and will be missed by all.